1 ABSTRACT DEVELOPING A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF SMALL ENTERPRISES INTERNATIONALIZATION PROCESS: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY IN EMERGING COUNTRY By Evy Rachmawati Chaldun Student ID: 39017301 (Doctoral Program of Science in Management) The activity of a company in the international market is a form of involvement in the international market known as internationalization. One main contribution of the international market activities is to the payment balance of a country. Small enterprises are essential in supporting economic growth, particularly in emerging countries. Due to their constrained resources and capacities, many small businesses in developing nations encounter intricate obstacles when trying to enter the global market rapidly. The study is intended to develop a theoretical framework that can reveal the essential and integrated resources and capabilities in the internationalization process. Instead of literature investigations, multiple case studies were adopted to explore the process of achieving the international success of Indonesia's export-oriented small enterprises. In-depth interviews with twelve small enterprises across the culinary, fashion, and craft sectors were conducted to collect qualitative data. A content analysis followed the input- process-output-outcome structure as the basis for developing the robust framework. Based on the Resource-Based View (RBV), this study reveals the synergistic role of production, networks, marketing, learning, and legal capabilities in creating competitive ad-vantages that support business continuity and sustainability. Research findings reveal that successful internationalization is not achieved by a single capability but through an integrated bundle of capabilities that can serve market needs. This study contributes to the literature by offering a comprehensive framework that maps the input-process-output-outcome structure of the interna-tionalization process, and offers practical insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to enhance SME competitiveness. The results underscore the importance of capability development and government support in facilitating SME global expansion. Ultimately, this study provides a basis for further investigation into the integrated capabilities that SMEs need to thrive in interna-tional markets. Keywords: business continuity; business sustainability; capability; competitive advantage; creative sector; small enterprise; internationalization; resource-based view (RBV) 2 3 ABSTRAK PENGEMBANGAN KERANGKA TEORITIS PROSES INTERNASIONALISASI USAHA KECIL: STUDI MULTI KASUS DI NEGARA BERKEMBANG Oleh Evy Rachmawati Chaldun NIM: 39017301 (Program Studi Doktor Sains Manajemen) Aktivitas perusahaan di pasar internasional merupakan salah satu bentuk keterlibatan dalam pasar internasional yang dikenal dengan istilah internasionalisasi. Salah satu kontribusi utama dari aktivitas pasar internasional adalah terhadap neraca pembayaran suatu negara. Perusahaan kecil sangat penting dalam mendukung pertumbuhan ekonomi, khususnya di negara berkembang. Karena keterbatasan sumber daya dan kapasitas, banyak perusahaan kecil di negara berkembang menghadapi kendala rumit saat mencoba memasuki pasar global dengan cepat. Penelitian ini dimaksudkan untuk mengembangkan kerangka teoritis yang dapat mengungkap sumber daya dan kemampuan yang penting dan terintegrasi dalam proses internasionalisasi. Selain melakukan studi literatur, studi multi kasus diadopsi untuk mengeksplorasi proses pencapaian keberhasilan internasional perusahaan kecil berorientasi ekspor Indonesia. Wawancara mendalam dengan dua belas perusahaan kecil di sektor kuliner, mode, dan kerajinan dilakukan untuk mengumpulkan data kualitatif.